A day after clearing waivers, Sean Avery is now a member of the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Dallas Stars assigned the troubled left wing to the Rangers farm club after speaking with general manager Glen Sather over the weekend.
“Sean and the Dallas Stars approached me looking for an American Hockey League team for him to resume playing, and I am happy to provide him with the opportunity to continue his career,” Sather said in a statement. “Sean was a good player for the Rangers during his time here and has worked extremely hard off the ice over the last two months.”
Although he is back in the Rangers family, Avery is still Stars property. But he is in Hartford right now and skating with the club, trying to get ready for tomorrow’s game against the Manitoba Moose.
“I would like to thank Glen Sather and the Rangers organization for giving me the chance to resume my hockey career by affording me this opportunity with the Hartford Wolf Pack,” Avery said in a statement. “I am looking forward to getting back on the ice, working my way back to the NHL and playing the game I love.”
Although there will be many interview requests and the XL Center – formerly the Hartford Civic Center – will probably be filled with members of the media, Avery said he’s not talking and neither is Sather.
“[Avery] remains under contract to and property of the Stars, therefore, any further comment would be inappropriate,” Sather said.
Avery was suspended for six games by the NHL due to inappropriate comments he made back in November about his former girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert. He has not played since that time and has been in the NHL/NHLPA behavioral health program.
It is believed the Rangers will claim Avery on re-entry waivers when the Stars recall him, thereby being responsible for half of his salary.